I’ve been managing Cougar Crossing Campground in The Willamette National Forest, while living in my Volkswagen Vanagon. Plus, running Terwilliger Hot Spring in Oregon. That has kept me busy enough, but with Spring and Summer, come baby making, and mice are no exception. I have assassinated 18 mice in three weeks, using this Five Gallon Bucket Peanut Butter Trap, and a few traditional spring loaded wooden Victor Brand weapons. Watch the HD Survival Bros Video Production below to see exactly how to build your own mouse deathtrap.

Keep the critters out of your house, and vehicle by using this hunting method. It’s a simple, and easy solution, to a disgusting problem. I hate killing anything living, but NOW they won’t be damaging my car, tent, etc. and eating my food! I lost a few Pop Tarts folks. To make this project at home:

1. Spread Peanut Butter around the inside edge of the large plastic bucket, just down from lip

2. Place stick running up to the top, overhanging so the mice fall inside after looking for a meal

Don’t call me PETA. I love animals, and drowning is a peaceful way to go right? Continue reading for more helpful information about mouse removal and solutions from personal experience.

I asked around for more mice control tips and tricks, and here’s what my friends came up with. Rats dislike pure mint oil extract. Place a few drops on a cotton ball, and put it where you’ve seen animals to keep them out. Also, try putting dryer sheets in the holes of your car or house. The mice won’t want to pass through these smelly spots. Steel wool (not thin) set in car air vents is a deterrent too, allegedly. Play with these things if you have a rodent issue. I think it’s good stuff to know, so I’m taking the time to share for my fellow Survival Bros.

Manager’s Campground Spot #1 on The McKenzie River

The most mice I’ve captured in a night was four! They are getting thinned out quick, but I expect them in waves all Summer. I also decapitated some poor, innocent slugs, when they set off the lever on my traps. It takes time setting up multiple devices. I’ve spent 30 minutes many nights smearing peanut butter, and setting them in all the right spots. Which for me, would be small game trails, near holes, or by my vehicle. In addition, a pal told me dumping sugar away from your camping spot will keep various critters out of your outdoor gear.

You can also try low tech scare tactics on the mice. When I first heard them scampering around my Vanagon, I didn’t have traps in place. So I make a bunch of intimidating noises. I was hissing, growling, barking, and clapping. That didn’t work, and neither did playing music. I should have tried Nickelback. Shaking the van side to side wasn’t and effective deterrent either. The mice are too smart. I swear they are tuned into my brain waves, and attack my living quarters as soon as I start to fall asleep.

1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Vandwelling Project for Survival Bros

Later I peed on my rig to make it seem like a big animal lives there, and to serve as a warning. If I wasn’t deathly allergic to evil cats, I’d get one to stand watch. Where’s an owl when you need one? I have tried it all folks. And the 5 gallon peanut butter bucket trap as seen HERE works best. Good luck. More soon. Please comment, like, and share this blog post with friends. You’re the best.

Another day, another hustle. I picked up this vintage Univega mountain bike at a garage sale I found on Craigslist. I wasn’t planning on going to any sales that day, because I was having my own. But the post said there were 100 bicycles for sale, so I had to peep it. This one caught my eye. It’s black, my fav, and had nice big tires on it. Plus, I was pleased that the rear rack came with. I’ve been wanting a hardtail bike, so I can put side bags full of survival gear on it, and possibly a motor. I think this whip is an excellent candidate for a motorized conversion. Now I’m hunting for the right kit on eBay to make it happen.

The lady at the garage sale had this gem priced at $80. Not happening. I pointed out the busted up seat, and said I’d have to replace it. She didn’t want to budge, but I explained it would help me out, because I don’t have a car. So she caved, and took my two crispy 20’s. I was pumped, and felt fortunate for the come up. I thanked her, checked out the rest of her crap, and bounced back to my sale. A hustlers work is never done.

It’s cool finding old stuff at Goodwill, pawn shops, and estate sales. It gives you the chance to learn about products you didn’t know about. Turns out, this brand was one of the first to develop mountain bikes. Very cool. If you know more about Univega, or have other ideas to improve this, please share. Thanks for visiting Survival Bros.

I just rode an ebike for the first time! I love it. It hauled. And with dual disc brakes, I stopped on a dime. I priced models at Electric & Folding Bikes Northwest www.ebikesnw.com They start at around $1,000. I want to charge an electric bike with my Powertraveller solar panels. I’m looking at some designs from Currie Tech for Survival Bros, because me and my people are going places. That will be the day. Have a good one. Thanks for visiting the Survival Bros blog.

I finally painted my Mongoose mountain bike flat black. This blog covers how I painted it, and other preparations I’ve done to my End of the World transportation.

First I stripped my bike bare. I took off the back fender/rack, and the seat. I had to remove a LED light attached to my seat post. I also removed a bunch of stickers, and residue. Most came off after using Goof Off, lacquer thinner, and a flat razor blade. Once the surface was clean, I blasted it flat black with Rust-olium Universal all-surface spray paint. It’s an awesome product. You can shoot at any angle. It sticks to metal, plastic, wood, whatever, but costs almost $10 a can.

Next I rattle canned the frame. I did one side, then the other, and finally the bottom. I did two coats, so it took a few hours to paint it all and allow for drying. I painted the wheels and tires quickly also. Then I put it all back together.

To get an even coat I removed the cables, but had a problem getting them back on tight. The guys at Prom Bike Shop in Seaside OR helped adjust them. They know me so it was a free fix. I buy stuff there all the time, and trust them with all my repairs. This is the third time I’ve resurrected this bike, but she is looking good now. Good luck seeing me on this stealth flat black beast.

Painting my bike was easy. The hard part was not painting myself or the driveway. Now I can put some smaller packs on this bike, but I have another bicycle that can haul more. Hopefully I can get a trailer before the Apocalypse happens. This bike needs a light, plastic front fender soon. It will have a first aid kit, and emergency food onboard. There’s a bright light and black bell on the front as well for safety.

I also plan to make a motorized bicycle in the near future. I enjoy designing rat bikes that look like something out of the Mad Max movie. You gotta go flat black. It looks sick.